My experience of Lauren's work and life story is very recent.

Another of his books, the Seed and the Sower 'called to me' from it's place on the shelf in my local bookshop. I bought it because this book was made into a film called Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence - a film I remember as disturbing and strangely attractive.

A new friend of mine mentioned Lauren's name in reference to one of her favourite books - The Hunter and the Whale.

Pretty soon I was finished Seed and the Sower and reading Lauren's seemingly autobiographical adecentures on a whaling ship as a young man.

This book largely defies description or review - once you know Lauren's work, hear his powerful voice describing evocative images, it's hard to imagine any work of his that won't be worthwhile.

To me, the strength of this work is characters - especially Peter, the storyteller. He has both the introspective nature and the wild youthful skills to become the 'Eyes' of the captain. Eventually his description of the king sperm whale arising from the ocean with a mouthful of giant squid, in the midst of an emotion ridden storm on the sea leaves me gasping for a chance to look this whale right in the eye...

This is a wonderfull book about all the aspects of African hunting. Gordon Cundill is a well educated man and that shows through in his writing. He gives vivid and witty accounts of his childhood in Zululand, his most thrilling hunts, and his ideas on the proper weaponry for a safari. He is truly one of the super-stars of the safari world, having held licences in Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa, and others. He has hunted with some of the best including Capstick, Mike Hissey, Mark Selby, and the legendary Harry Selby. This is a wonderfull book by a genius and legend of the modern field.

I have this book (two books in one) titled with "Hunters life among lions,elephants, and other wild animals of South Africa" published in 1856. The more than 600 pages of travel, hunting, and near escapes will keep you reading. Cummings is not long winded on his tales at all, more facts would be nice. but still you will love his hunts and the thrilling escapes using the old muzzle- loader, stalking, hunting from horseback etc. htl ky

This book is truly a necessary part of a hunter's library. I believe that this book, along with Roosevelt's African Game Trails and Bror Blixen's African Hunter, is one of the best books on hunting in Africa available. Even though things have changed alot in the past 100 years, the book is both entertaining and informative.

it gave great info on the Hutu people

Nick Greaves wrote and took all the pictures for this beautiful book. It depicts not only elephants, but other animals as well. It clearly explains about the wildlife in the park and goes further to explain the hard issues - culling (killing) elephants, ivory trade, and funding of the park. This is a book that will both look as good on your coffee table and is a pleasure to read. As a Zimbabwe guide in Hwange, Nick Greaves knows his elephants and this comes through clearly in the book. Highly recommended!

An interesting tale of life in southwestern Oregon in the 1960's era. The stories will make you laugh till you cry. There are good adventure stories for the young and old, boy or girl, no matter what age you are. A good read for all.

Thsi was agreat book, it told about the Egyotian people of the early years of civilization lived their lives. It will give you facts like why the Egyptians shoes wore out and how they built their graves. This is a great book if you are interested about the Egypian style of life.

A TREASURE NOT LOST: IBN BATTUTA'S TRAVELS IN ASIA AND AFRICA, 1325-1354

In 1354 the Caliph of Morocco commissioned a royal scribe to take down Ibn Battuta's account of his twenty-nine years of travels. The result was an eye-opening recitation from a learned man who participated in the affairs of the world. The book did not surface in the west until 1829.

The 1986 version under review here was a new translation by H.A.R. Gibb, Lecturer in Arabic at the School of Oriental Studies, University of London, reprinted by Oriental Books Reprint Corporation at Delhi, India.

Gibb treats Ibn Battuta "as a traveler, not as a writer of geography" and wrote it so that "this extract may be of service in introducing to a wider circle of English readers one of the most remarkable travelers of his own or any age."

In this work he does the job. The prose is easy to read and comprehend. Gibb's translation does not interfere with Ibn Battuta's narrative style. You believe that it is Ibn Battuta whom you are hearing as you read. The notations throughout the book, as endnotes, are scholarly, although the maps, all by the author, are a little hard to read. There is also an index of names and places, but there is no general index.

The stimulus for Battuta's travels stemmed from the "duty laid upon every Muslim of visiting Mecca at least once in his lifetime, so long as it lies within his power to do so."

"He was in fact the only medieval traveler who is known to have visited the lands of every Muhammadan ruler of his time," in addition to travels in non-Islamic Turkey, Ceylon, and China. His account of the Maldives "is the earliest descriptive account we possess of the islands and their inhabitants."

His pilgrimage in Ceylon to the top of the high mountain known as Adam's Peak is a place unique in the world. Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist alike revere this as the location of the imprint in black rock of the foot of Adam, or a Hindu god, or Buddha, according to their respective beliefs. The reported footprint is over eight feet long.

His account of a cowrie exchange in Malli (Mali) alongside the salt exchange there "showed the existence of extensive trade between West Africa and East Africa, as cowrie shells are found only in East Africa." It should also be noted that Gibb gives a brief but helpful account here "of the early negro (sic) empires" in West Africa in an extensive endnote.

"The extent of his wanderings is estimated at not less than 75,000 miles without allowing for deviations, a figure which is not likely to have been surpassed before the age of steam."

We are lucky to have this translation. It reveals a perspective that could have been lost, were it not for Battuta's keen eye, the royal Moroccan and his scribe, and Gibbs.

A.D.Saunders August 8, 2000 ++++++++

Nice collection of up to date information on Nigeria. I would suggest getting this a few weeks before your trip so you can digest it and act on some of the tips. The money was well spent to have all this very practical information at your fingertips.